Mike Rockenfeller: “This is a sweet victory”

Mike Rockenfeller came back to his old ways yesterday at the Moscow Raceway, host of the sixth round of the 2015 Deutsche Tourenwangen Masters season. The 2013 champion got a very disputed pole position and led to get his fourth DTM career win.

Rocky, however, hasn’t had an easy ride in recent seasons. Yesterday’s win ends a two-year spell without victories, and is also the Team Phoenix driver’s first visit to the podium this year.

“I just like the race at Moscow”, Rockenfeller said. “The people know a lot about racing and are enthusiastic whenever the DTM arrives. They welcome us with open arms and celebrate with the winners. That makes having won there twice in three years particularly sweet.”

Mike Rockenfeller’s previous DTM victory was also at Moscow Raceway back in 2013. Last year he was third in the standings, but out of contention to renew his crown. Rockenfeller had to face question marks over his ability to remain as one of the series’ top drivers, but the former champion believes that focussing on doing his job was key to get through the dessert: “Obviously, a situation like that is difficult. But we’ve all been in this long enough to be able to put things into perspective: I had three good years and now a few difficult races. The key is to keep your cool and to continue to concentrate on the job. Now we have another success experience, which is good for the whole squad.”

After the weekend in Moscow, Rockenfeller has shoot to eighth place in the Drivers’ standings, with 67 points in his account, 59 less than team-mate Mattias Ekström. Although talking about the championship is a far-fetched option, it remains a mathematical possibility. Rockenfeller keeps cool about his possibilities: “Oschersleben, the Nürburgring and Hockenheim are tracks that suit Audi well and me personally, too. 150 points are yet to be awarded and the battle for the title is intensifying. The self-confidence we gained on clinching victory at Moscow will be helping us in the season’s final sprint.”

Audi Sport Team Phoenix, which manages Rockenfeller’s RS 5 DTM, is currently ninth in the Teams’ table.